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We cradled one another as we limped out the front door.
For the third time, I explained to Chief Kraft over speakerphone why my house isn’t safe for us.
“But Emily said your mother would be watching you guys. I don’t get it. Did she disappear?”
“My mom went to my grandparents’ house. She leaves when things start to get out of hand.”
“Dad, it’s not Cal’s fault!” Ellison pleaded from the other end of their big fluffy white couch.
“Ellison, get in bed. This is between me and Cal!” Kraft rumbled, he’s grouchily shouting orders. He didn’t like it when things don’t go his way, or when he’s not one hundred percent informed. If Tyler Montgomery was a Rottweiler, Ellison’s dad was nothing but a yappy Chihuahua. I could deal with his anger.
“Let me get this straight. He put his hands on you in front of my daughter?”
“It would have happened whether she was there or not. We don’t get along.”
“Son, getting along with a parent is one thing, pulling a gun on your own flesh and blood is something else entirely. Does your father have a permit for his firearm? I’m just wondering if we should press charges.”
“Let’s figure it out when you get back.”
“Fair enough. Take pictures of the laceration. Sleep on the couch where I can see you. No sneaking into my daughter’s room. Did you enable the alarm system?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll have a squad put the street on drive by for the night. Call the sheriff if he gives you any more trouble. The direct number is on the fridge. Ellie, baby, I know you’re there. Get upstairs before I ground you from ever seeing your Calvin again.”
“Yes, Daddy!”
Ellison jetted up the stairs without even saying goodnight to me.
I lied back when we disconnected and covered my face with my hands. My throat burned like hell. I hoped that his was beyond repair. I couldn’t even bring myself to ask Ellison what happened between them. I was afraid the answer would land me in jail, or worse, separated from the girl I love.
Life was a crap shoot and it’s anything but fair.
Chapter 23
ELLISON
For the second time on a restless night, I awakened. Not to the sound of engines or the smell of coffee, but the chatter of birds signaling the arrival of dawn. I was in my own room, in my own pink bed with the white canopy frame I’ve had since I was twelve years old.
In my parents’ bedroom was the control to disable the house security including the cameras. I rummaged through my dad’s nightstand until I found the remote, betting that the code to shut down the system was either mine or Adler’s birthdate.
Among his reading glasses, bible, and antacid tablets, I pulled a well-worn photo of my older brother straddling his first motorcycle. His smile was beaming from the image, so proud of his outfit and his bike; Adler’s enthusiasm was contagious. I missed my older brother, his warm hugs and his protective arms. His absence had left a hole in our family that could never be refilled no matter how hard we tried.
Adler’s birth date worked, the system powered down. I placed the remote and photo back where I found them and closed the door without making a sound.
Nausea overwhelmed me when I remembered the predatory touch of Cal’s father, the sadistic look in his eyes. I forced it from my mind as I rushed down the steps to find Calvin awake on the couch. His legs were spread in his signature wide confidant V, but his head was lowered and rested in his hands. As I approached, he looked up at me with bloodshot eyes, agony written all over his face. His neck was purple with bruises, and I could tell from just looking that he hadn’t slept a wink.
“Oh Cal!” I knelt between his legs and took his face in my hands. My kisses landed on the top of his head. He didn’t want to make eye contact—didn’t want to know what happened to make me fall into the arms of his enemy.
But I needed his hands to erase his father’s touch. I didn’t want to think about Cal’s dad, I only wanted to think about us. I rose between his legs and straddled his lap. Cal wasn’t used to me being so bold, I always held back. I pulled his face to mine and drowned him in a kiss saturated with promise, dying to show him that the love between us was all we needed to get through this.
“Ellison, the cameras,” he said. I didn’t take my mouth from him. Instead, I ran my fingers through his hair and kissed him as deep as he’d let me. His response was immediate and I couldn’t help but take pride in the way his body talked to mine.
